Teaching complementary and alternative medicine in a reform curriculum

Background: The increasing utilization of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) contrasts with a lack of CAM in medical school education. Therefore, CAM therapies were introduced to the Charite University Medical School (Berlin, Germany) reform curriculum. Methods and Results: Teaching concept: A CAM seminar provides basic knowledge about naturopathy, homeopathy, and Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), plus their utilization, empirical research, and underlying philosophies. Experiential and dialogical didactic techniques are employed. Evaluation: Students evaluated one of the seminars using the 'Heidelberg Inventory for Educational Evaluation' (Heidelberger Inventar zur Lehrveranstaltungs-Evaluation, HILVE). Student participation and classroom atmosphere were rated as very good. All other categories were rated above average, except workload and excessive demands. Demand for Education: 69% of all 3rd- and 7th-semester students (n = 74) answered a questionnaire about their opinions on CAM, and the extent and sources of their knowledge. Acupuncture and homeopathy were the best-known methods, primarily from courses or seminars. Personal experience with CAM was reported by 44% of the students. Depending on the method 73-96% of the respondents supported the inclusion of CAM therapies into the medical school curriculum. Acknowledged advantages of CAM were its use as an alternative or additional treatment (73-82%), fewer side effects (44%), and cost reduction (37%). Discussion: The presented concept helps medical students develop a reflected opinion on CAM. The students rated the quality of the seminar as above average. The high support for university CAM education reflects the students' desire for more knowledge. Interest in other philosophies of disease and therapy may prepare them for a more integrative and pluralistic approach to medicine.